Renaissance Essay on Dr. Faustus

Renaissance Essay on Dr. Faustus.

The term Renaissance means “rebirth”. It was time of new discoveries. During this period, there was a huge renewal and rebirth of interest in the study of classical literature. The renaissance period birthed many awe-inspiring and literary gifted authors, poets and playwrights. There are many themes associated with Renaissance literature, for example, there is a lot of Renaissance literature with the recurring theme of fate, magic and religion. These themes are, undoubtedly, used throughout Doctor Faustus. In this essay, I will explore, identify and closely analyse the opening speech and how it cements the pathway of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus overall play.

The opening speech called, the Prologue, is given by the Chorus. He mentions that the story will not be about war or love but tells the audience that the play will be about but “merely the form of Faustus’ fortunes, good or bad”(Marlowe 1592). It will focus on the ambition of a single individual bored with daily knowledge, like medicine or religion, and wanting to pursue a more ambitious path with necromancy, or wielding powerful magic. Faustus is the protagonist and the tragic hero in the play who was born of “base stock”(Marlowe 1592) in Germany and went to the University of Wittenberg, where he studied philosophy and divinity. Faustus mastered in “matters of theology”(Marlowe 1592). He became so overwrought with pride that it ultimately, led to his tragic downfall, thus, why he turned to study necromancy.

The Chorus is, without doubt, the most significant element of the play. It prophesises the tragic route in which Faustus takes and foretells his downfall. This allows the audience to brace themselves for a tragically fantastic play that shows what greed and gluttony can do to human beings. The line where good and bad fortunes is mentioned is a very important line as it allows the audience to question what is good and what is bad in the case of Faustus. The Chorus is an excellent technique used by Marlowe. The chorus is derived from traditional Greek classical drama and works in various different ways throughout the play. The chorus stands off stage outside of the actions of the play and relays the details of events to come. The chorus speaks directly to the audience and talks about the historical background of Faustus before his need for power.

The Chorus is delivered in a formal, rhetorical manner and explains that the play is a total different depiction to other dramas written. It is different due to the fact that this play is not based around the downfall of a royal or a duke but a man of common birth. This tragedy is, most certainly, different in subject matter and that is what makes this play unique and is more relatable for the audience.

Greek mythology is used in the chorus. Imagery is used to show the significance of the mythology. The first image is of Icarus and this is used to symbolise the fall of Faustus. Icarus was a figure in classical Greek mythology who was full of pride, flew to the sun on his “waxen-wings”(Marlowe 1592), where his wings were melted off and he plunged to his death. Another image in the chorus used to describe the situation of Faustus is that of his gluttonous appetite by overindulgence. Faustus is seen as character of endless appetites that knows no bounds. His thirst and need for power led him to make a deal with the devil. The chorus proves that some people really know no bounds in terms of greed.